After a tentative agreement was reached between the Washougal School District and its teachers’ union, the teachers did not approve the contract.
The district and the Washougal Association of Educators reached a tentative agreement last week.
The Post-Record received the updated information after its print deadline on Wednesday, Sept. 6.
“Washougal Association of Educators Bylaws state that, of the membership voting, the level of of passing the ratification vote must be 60 percent. The ratification vote did not meet that standard and the tentative agreement with the Washougal School District does not pass,” stated a press release from the WAE.
Another meeting with the teachers will be scheduled for the second week of school, and the WAE negotiations team will set a time with the district to resume bargaining.
WAE members and the district have been in negotiations since the beginning of summer, and locked horns over class sizes, elementary grade-level blends and teacher compensation.
“We believe the agreement fairly and equitably compensates our teachers,” said Mike Stromme, superintendent, in a press release sent over the Labor Day weekend. “We value their commitment to our students and families.”
The current contract expired Aug. 31.
